Aboriginal Alcohol & Drug Worker Programme

Goals & Objectives

Funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MHLTC), the Aboriginal Alcohol and Drug Worker Programme (AADWP) assists Aboriginal people in addressing alcohol/drug issues and preventing or minimizing the negative effects of addictive substances for Aboriginal individuals, families and communities.

The objectives are:

To promote healthy lifestyles free from alcohol, drug, and solvent abuse within the Aboriginal community;
To promote existing MHLTC sponsored treatment service models within the urban Aboriginal community;
To promote healthy alternatives to alcohol, drug and solvent abuse;
To promote a culturally appropriate system of addiction treatment services and programmes for Aboriginal people with alcohol and drug abuse problems;
To increase knowledge and sensitivity through awareness for service providers in the addiction field; and,
To increase the effectiveness and provide cost effective treatment, service development for alcohol and drug abuse programmes with the Friendship Centre.

Programme Summary

The AADWP promotes alcohol, drug and solvent abuse free lifestyles and provides healthy alternatives to alcohol, drug and solvent abuse within the urban Aboriginal community. The programme provides a culturally appropriate system of addictions treatment services and programmes such as talking circles, sweats, and traditional teachings, referrals to healing lodges, and socials for urban Aboriginal people with alcohol and/or drug problems as well as referrals to Treatment Centres as appropriate. Clients are provided information, education and support as needed to initiate changes in their life to move into recovery. In addition to direct client services, the Workers provide awareness and education to various groups, such as schools, in the community.

Focus on Success

This programme has provided services to 1244 Aboriginal people over the course of the past year. Services have included assessments, referrals, after care supports, relapse prevention, healthy family activities and one to one counselling. Many of the clients in the AADWP state that the strength of the programme is not only that it assisted them to enter into a Treatment Centre, but that it reconnected them to their culture, empowering them to improve their quality of life and living.

Development

This programme started as a pilot programme in ten sites in 1993 and has not expanded even though alcohol, drug and solvent abuse is a growing concern in the urban Aboriginal community. The AADWP is currently involved in a Realist Evaluation to identify what has worked for various clients and why. This type of evaluation will document the successes of the programme and determine gaps in services with the intent to advocate for programme expansion into other Friendship Centres.

In order to better address the wholistic needs of the clients, the AAD Workers have received certification as Certified Addiction Counsellor II (CACII) and Certified Gambling Counsellor (CGC) in a process negotiated through Canadian Professional Certification Association. This process is due to be repeated and will depend on resource availability. In addition, the OFIFC is exploring a partnership with George Brown College to train the AADWP Workers in Cognitive Motivational Therapy, along with the others Friendship Centre programmes where training like this would be a benefit.

The AADW Programme is registered in ConnexOntario, a database of services provided in Ontario funded by the Provincial Government. This database identifies the locations of services as well as availability, accessibility, and contact information.